Workshops

Early childhood educators in Nova Scotia can easily find and access a wide variety of professional development workshops and training opportunities by scrolling through our calendar of workshops or by searching specific topics. Please contact the site hosting the workshop to get registration details.

Please Note: For Online Learning Workshops

NSCC, MSVU, and CPRPS occasionally offer online professional development workshops. Online workshops allow you the convenience of taking professional development without leaving home. Our online workshops are live, and participants will interact with the facilitator and other participants in real time.

Online workshops have specific technical requirements, and participants are required to have access to a computer with a good internet connection, as well as microphone and audio capabilities. You must also have a working email address to receive login and password links to the workshop. There may be other workshop requirements, so please check all workshop guidelines to ensure you are able to take part before you register for online training.

Upcoming Workshops

Understanding Children’s Behaviors and How to Respond Effectively by Meeting Needs

This workshop is designed to help parents and educators understand there are no “bad” children. It is designed to unpack the reasons for behavior. Children may act out, act aggressively, not listen, demand attention or display other negative behaviors. The fact is if these behaviors are being displayed the children are probably trying to tell you something. This workshop will help parents/educators understand the science of behavior, reasons for negative behaviors and provide some positive suggestions for helping adults understand their child’s behavior while responding positively and effectively.

"In my world there are NO BAD KIDS, just impressionable and conflicted young people wrestling with emotions and impulses, trying to communicate their feelings and needs the only way they know how." – Janet Lansbury

Target Groups: Parents/Educators of preschool aged and afterschool aged children

Participants will:

Learn more about behaviors and the brain science behind why behaviors occur;

Lisa Benson has been working in the field of early childhood education for over 15 years. She holds a MA in Child and Youth Studies from Mount Saint Vincent University and is currently training to become a Certified Kid’s Life Coach. Lisa has worked with children and youth ages 1-15 in a variety of settings. Her roles have included toddler, preschool and afterschool educator, inclusion coordinator and social skills coach. Lisa is passionate about the importance of social skills and supporting children in the development of their resilience and coping skills.

It is an exciting time in the N.S. early childhood field! Our new curriculum framework is here, ready to be used in ECE settings around the province. Are you familiar with it, and the many ways in which it might be used? This module - Using your Image of the Child in your Daily Practice - will uncover the possibilities for using the first part of the Framework, and the 'why' of being able to use your Image of the Child in practical ways. Join us for this interactive session that will be the foundation for the rest of the Framework.This module is being hosted by

It is an exciting time in the N.S. early childhood field! Our new curriculum framework is here, ready to be used in ECE settings around the province. Are you familiar with it, and the many ways in which it might be used? This module - Using your Image of the Child in your Daily Practice - will uncover the possibilities for using the first part of the Framework, and the 'why' of being able to use your Image of the Child in practical ways. Join us for this interactive session that will be the foundation for the rest of the Framework.This module is being hosted by ECDSC, please contact [email protected] for further details.

**To register for this session please click on the following link https://www.eypdc.ca/learning/early-learning-curriculum-framework/program-staff-training-registration-form/

It is an exciting time in the N.S. early childhood field! Our new curriculum framework is here, ready to be used in ECE settings around the province. Are you familiar with it, and the many ways in which it might be used? This module - Using your Image of the Child in your Daily Practice - will uncover the possibilities for using the first part of the Framework, and the 'why' of being able to use your Image of the Child in practical ways. Join us for this interactive session that will be the foundation for the rest of the Framework.This module is being hosted by

It is an exciting time in the N.S. early childhood field! Our new curriculum framework is here, ready to be used in ECE settings around the province. Are you familiar with it, and the many ways in which it might be used? This module - Using your Image of the Child in your Daily Practice - will uncover the possibilities for using the first part of the Framework, and the 'why' of being able to use your Image of the Child in practical ways. Join us for this interactive session that will be the foundation for the rest of the Framework.This module is being hosted by

It is an exciting time in the N.S. early childhood field! Our new curriculum framework is here, ready to be used in ECE settings around the province. Are you familiar with it, and the many ways in which it might be used? This module - Using your Image of the Child in your Daily Practice - will uncover the possibilities for using the first part of the Framework, and the 'why' of being able to use your Image of the Child in practical ways. Join us for this interactive session that will be the foundation for the rest of the Framework.This module is being hosted by

Facilitated by Christine McLean, with other guest faculty and local experts

We invite you to join our new, monthly Early Childhood Educator Professional Learning Community Study Group. Child and Youth Study full time faculty, Christine McLean, is the Lead Facilitator for these sessions, with other local experts to be invited to host sessions in their areas of expertise.

These monthly meetings will be a place of professional learning and sharing for early learning professionals to join together to explore, learn, discuss, reflect and support one another through a continuous professional learning process. Participants will be encouraged to engage on a multitude of topics, share lessons learned, success from previous months session and plans for upcoming months topic and activities. Topics would be pulled from a range of areas including participant requests, and/or current or upcoming trends in the sector. An agenda, book chapter, or paper will be emailed out a week prior to each session for participants to prepare for the study group. Topics will be posted prior to each month’s meeting.

Participants can register for as many, or as few sessions as they like. Fees include materials and light refreshments.

Books can be a window, a mirror, or a sliding door that invite children into new ways of thinking and being. This metaphor for understanding the value of diverse books for children was first used by Rudine Sims Bishop. Join us as we look for ourselves, each other, and our diverse communities in a collection of picture books. Together we’ll consider the ways picture books can add to the richness of our classrooms. We’ll explore dimensions of diversity, spend some time evaluating what makes a good book, and use an anti-bias lens to lead us to the kinds of questions we could be asking of the books we choose to share with children.

Carrie Melsom is the Coordinator of the NSCECE Early Years Community Development Centre and has been teaching children or adults since 1986. She sees classrooms as learning communities and believes the thoughts and voices of every member have value in creating rich and engaging learning environments where everyone can thrive. Good picture books are one of her passions.

This session will assist as a starting point for participants when considering possible curriculum changes. It will focus on identifying starting points for change, including the importance of reflective practice, basic questions to ask, the significance of a curriculum framework rather than a standard curriculum, and examine some myths & realities that services found with the Australian Curriculum & National Quality Framework as presented by Melissa Edwards. Objectives: Identify starting points in implementing new or changes to curriculum Develop questions to pose about their service and curriculum & identify the importance of professional conversations Challenge cliche statements in regards to curriculum

It is an exciting time in the N.S. early childhood field! Our new curriculum framework is here, ready to be used in ECE settings around the province. Are you familiar with it, and the many ways in which it might be used? This module - Using your Image of the Child in your Daily Practice - will uncover the possibilities for using the first part of the Framework, and the 'why' of being able to use your Image of the Child in practical ways. Join us for this interactive session that will be the foundation for the rest of the Framework.This module is being hosted by ECDSC, please contact [email protected] for further details.

**To register for this session please click on the following link https://www.eypdc.ca/learning/early-learning-curriculum-framework/program-staff-training-registration-form/

Using Your Image of the Child in Your Daily PracticeIt is an exciting time in the N.S. early childhood field! Our new curriculum framework is here, ready to be used in ECE settings around the province. Are you familiar with it, and the many ways in which it might be used? This module - Using your Image of the Child in your Daily Practice - will uncover the possibilities for using the first part of the Framework, and the 'why' of being able to use your Image of the Child in practical ways. Join us for this interactive session that will be the foundation for the rest of the Framework.

Workshop #3 (of an 8 part series) This workshop will be a continuation of workshop #2 where we will look further at the phrase "environment as the third teacher." The workshop will focus on incorporating synthetic loose parts into the early learning environment. Participants will have an opportunity to work with these intellectual materials to see the endless possibilities they offer. They will also return to their programs with a selection of synthetic loose parts for their children to explore, manipulate, create with, etc.

It is an exciting time in the N.S. early childhood field! Our new curriculum framework is here, ready to be used in ECE settings around the province. Are you familiar with it, and the many ways in which it might be used? This module - Using your Image of the Child in your Daily Practice - will uncover the possibilities for using the first part of the Framework, and the 'why' of being able to use your Image of the Child in practical ways. Join us for this interactive session that will be the foundation for the rest of the Framework.This module is being hosted by NSCC Marconi. Please contact [email protected] for further details.

Workshop #4 (of an 8 part series) This workshop will explore the inspirational and educational features of the centers in Reggio Emilia. We will highlight environmental features that add to the overall early childhood experience such as simplicity, aesthetics, light, reflection, platform spaces, etc. Participants will also acquire an understanding of the level of respect that children are taught for the materials they work with.

Shifting Tides: Using Pedagogical Leadership to Prepare Early Learning Environments for Change

January 16, 20196:30 pm - 8:30 pmOnline (Skype for Business)

As new research, practices that effect early learning programs such as curriculum frameworks, outdoor play pedagogy, and levels of employee engagement, Early Learning Directors have a key role in leading and managing change. This workshop will introduce the theory of change and how it guides leaders in their practice with employees and in creating early learning environments. Pedagogical leadership strategies, processes, and approaches that support Early Learning Directors in fueling innovation and change in practice among their early learning professionals will be explored.

To register please contact Katrina George at [email protected] or by calling (902) 597-4406

Facilitated by Christine McLean, with other guest faculty and local experts

We invite you to join our new, monthly Early Childhood Educator Professional Learning Community Study Group. Child and Youth Study full time faculty, Christine McLean, is the Lead Facilitator for these sessions, with other local experts to be invited to host sessions in their areas of expertise.

These monthly meetings will be a place of professional learning and sharing for early learning professionals to join together to explore, learn, discuss, reflect and support one another through a continuous professional learning process. Participants will be encouraged to engage on a multitude of topics, share lessons learned, success from previous months session and plans for upcoming months topic and activities. Topics would be pulled from a range of areas including participant requests, and/or current or upcoming trends in the sector. An agenda, book chapter, or paper will be emailed out a week prior to each session for participants to prepare for the study group. Topics will be posted prior to each month’s meeting.

Participants can register for as many, or as few sessions as they like. Fees include materials and light refreshments.

Workshop #5 (of an 8 part series) This workshop will examine the traditional atelier, the role of the atelierista and the value that art education brings to the early learning environment. Participants will get an opportunity to work with authentic clay, learning about its' properties, how to work effectively with it and how to incorporate it into their programs.

Technology....the pros and cons of incorporating it into early learning programs

February 20, 20196:30 pm - 8:30 pmOnline (Skype for Business)

Many early learning professionals are struggling to answer how to position technology in their early learning programs. This workshop explores the if, how and why questions of the role that technology can play in children’s play experiences.

Facilitated by Christine McLean, with other guest faculty and local experts

We invite you to join our new, monthly Early Childhood Educator Professional Learning Community Study Group. Child and Youth Study full time faculty, Christine McLean, is the Lead Facilitator for these sessions, with other local experts to be invited to host sessions in their areas of expertise.

These monthly meetings will be a place of professional learning and sharing for early learning professionals to join together to explore, learn, discuss, reflect and support one another through a continuous professional learning process. Participants will be encouraged to engage on a multitude of topics, share lessons learned, success from previous months session and plans for upcoming months topic and activities. Topics would be pulled from a range of areas including participant requests, and/or current or upcoming trends in the sector. An agenda, book chapter, or paper will be emailed out a week prior to each session for participants to prepare for the study group. Topics will be posted prior to each month’s meeting.

Participants can register for as many, or as few sessions as they like. Fees include materials and light refreshments.

Workshop #6 (of an 8 part series) This workshop will examine how the traditional atelier has evolved into a diffused atelier. Also how the role of the atelierista has evolved over time. The atelierista brings unique perspectives and skills to the early learning environment as well as embraces children's multiple ways of experiencing the world. Participants will have an opportunity to explore perspective.

Developing self-regulation to maximize children's play, well-being and engagement in their environments

March 20, 20196:30 pm - 8:30 pmOnline (Skype for Business)

What is the relationship of self-regulation, environments and children’s play? What types of environments support children in being able to learn to self-regulate? This interactive workshop will introduce participants to ways in which environments may be created that will support and guide children in identifying their emotions, self-regulate and be more engaged in their play and learning.

Facilitated by Christine McLean, with other guest faculty and local experts

We invite you to join our new, monthly Early Childhood Educator Professional Learning Community Study Group. Child and Youth Study full time faculty, Christine McLean, is the Lead Facilitator for these sessions, with other local experts to be invited to host sessions in their areas of expertise.

These monthly meetings will be a place of professional learning and sharing for early learning professionals to join together to explore, learn, discuss, reflect and support one another through a continuous professional learning process. Participants will be encouraged to engage on a multitude of topics, share lessons learned, success from previous months session and plans for upcoming months topic and activities. Topics would be pulled from a range of areas including participant requests, and/or current or upcoming trends in the sector. An agenda, book chapter, or paper will be emailed out a week prior to each session for participants to prepare for the study group. Topics will be posted prior to each month’s meeting.

Participants can register for as many, or as few sessions as they like. Fees include materials and light refreshments.

Module 1: Pedagogical Leadership: NSCC Pictou Campus Rm C119 (Friday)-For Directors or Pedagogical Leaders ‘Pedagogical Leaders demonstrate credible knowledge of the teaching and learning process and draw on those principles to guide individuals and groups.’ (Coughlin and Woodburn, 2016) This module, designed for any type of leader in our field who is working in a regulated child care setting or Pre-primary Program, will focus on how pedagogical leadership supports educators in reflecting upon, and learning more about, their practices with children. We will address - through experiences and dialogue – the questions: What is an effective pedagogical leader? How do we work through growth and change in positive ways? How do we encourage innovative practices?

Participants will:  develop an understanding of the role of a pedagogical leader, how this role can be improved through reflection, and how this type of leadership can support the vision and goals of their setting.  explore ideas around leading others through change and growth, while making connections to the framework, as they practice motivating, coaching, and mentoring skills.  reflect upon what it means to be a leader in terms of curriculum decisions; how we develop programs that are play-based, intentional, and connected to the practices described in the framework.

Module 2: The Image of the Child: NSCC Pictou Campus Rm C114 (Saturday)-For Directors or Pedagogical Leaders ‘A person’s Image of the Child….is influenced by that person’s experiences, culture, values and beliefs’ (N.S Early Learning Curriculum Framework, p11). This statement about the Image of the Child from the curriculum framework is foundational for the practices described within the document. In this module, we will use reflection and dialogue to work through our own images of children and how these are made visible in our day to day interactions, routines, decision-making, and responses to children. We will address – through experiences and dialogue - the questions: What is your ‘Image of the Child’? Why does this image matter? How do our images and practices align with the Framework? What difference does it make to our daily practice? How does the Image of the Child affect the role of an educator or leader?

Participants will:  articulate their Image of the Child, taking into account their own centre’s philosophies and values.  understand how their own childhood experiences, family background, spiritual and cultural values, as well as experiences as an adult and educator, influence their images of children.  improve awareness of what they see and understand in their approaches with children, and recognize how their images of children shape their ECE practices.

9 AM - 4 PM Lunch Provided

This session is being hosted by ECDSC. Please contact [email protected] for further details.

Workshop #7 (of an 8 part series) This workshop will look at curriculum planning.Participants will be introduced to invitations, provocations, zones of investigation and common projects. They will be challenged to re-think their own curriculum planning keeping in mind that children are fully capable of directing their own learning and that teachers serve children best when acting in a facilitator capacity.

It is an exciting time in the N.S. early childhood field! Our new curriculum framework is here, ready to be used in ECE settings around the province. Are you familiar with it, and the many ways in which it might be used? This module - Using your Image of the Child in your Daily Practice - will uncover the possibilities for using the first part of the Framework, and the 'why' of being able to use your Image of the Child in practical ways. Join us for this interactive session that will be the foundation for the rest of the Framework.This module is being hosted by ECDSC, please contact [email protected] for further details.

**To register for this session please click on the following link https://www.eypdc.ca/learning/early-learning-curriculum-framework/program-staff-training-registration-form/

This workshop introduces the concepts of outdoor play pedagogy. Strategies for planning and implementing outdoor play experiences that support children’s sense of curiosity, experimentation and play will be presented. Participants will engage in a variety of active discussions that illustrate how to cultivate play opportunities that bring science, technology, engineering, art, and math alive in outdoor play environments.

Facilitated by Christine McLean, with other guest faculty and local experts

We invite you to join our new, monthly Early Childhood Educator Professional Learning Community Study Group. Child and Youth Study full time faculty, Christine McLean, is the Lead Facilitator for these sessions, with other local experts to be invited to host sessions in their areas of expertise.

These monthly meetings will be a place of professional learning and sharing for early learning professionals to join together to explore, learn, discuss, reflect and support one another through a continuous professional learning process. Participants will be encouraged to engage on a multitude of topics, share lessons learned, success from previous months session and plans for upcoming months topic and activities. Topics would be pulled from a range of areas including participant requests, and/or current or upcoming trends in the sector. An agenda, book chapter, or paper will be emailed out a week prior to each session for participants to prepare for the study group. Topics will be posted prior to each month’s meeting.

Participants can register for as many, or as few sessions as they like. Fees include materials and light refreshments.

Workshop #8 (of an 8 part series) This workshop will further clarify invitations, provocations, zones of investigation and common projects. Participants will explore how to make learning visible through documentation. They will have an opportunity to peruse and discuss various documentation samples. Lastly we will look at how professional development is approached in the centers in Reggio Emilia.

An unconscious bias is a social stereotype formed outside of conscious awareness. We all hold unconscious beliefs which are not compatible with our conscious values. Barb and Ann will help us to understand unconscious bias, where it comes from, and why it is important to be aware of it. In this interactive workshop, we will learn to recognize and address unconscious bias within ourselves, our peers and the community. We will also highlight the importance of our influence on children as they develop their own attitudes and beliefs. Cost $45.00 / 3 PD hours To register call 902-893-3342

Facilitated by Christine McLean, with other guest faculty and local experts

We invite you to join our new, monthly Early Childhood Educator Professional Learning Community Study Group. Child and Youth Study full time faculty, Christine McLean, is the Lead Facilitator for these sessions, with other local experts to be invited to host sessions in their areas of expertise.

These monthly meetings will be a place of professional learning and sharing for early learning professionals to join together to explore, learn, discuss, reflect and support one another through a continuous professional learning process. Participants will be encouraged to engage on a multitude of topics, share lessons learned, success from previous months session and plans for upcoming months topic and activities. Topics would be pulled from a range of areas including participant requests, and/or current or upcoming trends in the sector. An agenda, book chapter, or paper will be emailed out a week prior to each session for participants to prepare for the study group. Topics will be posted prior to each month’s meeting.

Participants can register for as many, or as few sessions as they like. Fees include materials and light refreshments.

Facilitated by Christine McLean, with other guest faculty and local experts

We invite you to join our new, monthly Early Childhood Educator Professional Learning Community Study Group. Child and Youth Study full time faculty, Christine McLean, is the Lead Facilitator for these sessions, with other local experts to be invited to host sessions in their areas of expertise.

These monthly meetings will be a place of professional learning and sharing for early learning professionals to join together to explore, learn, discuss, reflect and support one another through a continuous professional learning process. Participants will be encouraged to engage on a multitude of topics, share lessons learned, success from previous months session and plans for upcoming months topic and activities. Topics would be pulled from a range of areas including participant requests, and/or current or upcoming trends in the sector. An agenda, book chapter, or paper will be emailed out a week prior to each session for participants to prepare for the study group. Topics will be posted prior to each month’s meeting.

Participants can register for as many, or as few sessions as they like. Fees include materials and light refreshments.